Summary of Position: The Director of Academic Operations supports the Dean by providing operational leadership for the School of Integrated Learning and Development (SILD) and coordinating the school’s day-to-day academic and administrative operations. The Director serves as a primary liaison between SILD and other National & Global (N&G) and IWU departments. The Director ensures that school-level academic processes, policies, and approved program changes are implemented consistently and effectively. Responsibilities include oversight and coordination of licensure and regulatory compliance; clinical experiences and placements; academic calendars and program information; curriculum and program-change implementation; partnerships; Concurrent Education; STEP-UP/apprenticeship initiatives; and other assigned school-level projects. The Director supervises the school's Assistant Directors and Academic Program Managers and provides secondary supervision for other office staff as assigned. The Director oversees onboarding for faculty and staff as needed; investigates and mediates escalated student concerns; represents SILD and/or the Dean in institutional meetings and on operational matters as delegated; and provides the Dean with operational information, analysis, and support for decision-making.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide operational leadership for the School of Integrated Learning and Development (SILD):
- Coordinate the School’s day-to-day academic and administrative operations and establish operational priorities
- Supervise Assistant Directors and Academic Program Managers and provide secondary supervision for other office staff as assigned
- Oversee onboarding and training for faculty and staff as needed
- Identify operational issues, risks, and opportunities and coordinate solutions with the Dean and appropriate University offices
- Oversee academic operations, program compliance, and student-related processes
- Oversee licensure and regulatory requirements to support program compliance and candidate eligibility
- Coordinate clinical experiences, field placements, and student teaching in collaboration with the Office of Clinical Experiences and academic programs
- Oversee school-level program processes, including admission reviews, eligibility questions, and exceptions
- Investigate and mediate escalated student matters, including petitions, grade changes, academic appeals, admission reviews, dismissals, and suspensions
- Coordinate implementation of institutional, academic, school, and regulatory policies and procedures within SILD
- Oversee program information, curriculum implementation, and academic processes
- Maintain accurate program information, including catalog information, program requirements, cost sheets, academic calendars, marketing materials, and course sequencing
- Coordinate the operational implementation of approved curriculum and program changes
- Work with curriculum management, academic leadership, and operational departments to ensure changes are implemented accurately and consistently
- Coordinate school-level academic calendars, program requirements, and other operational processes that support candidate progression
- Oversee strategic programs and external partnerships
- Oversee all aspects of the Concurrent Education Program, including partnerships, MOUs, course offerings, faculty support, enrollment, invoicing, curriculum alignment, grade submissions, and partner communication
- Develop, support, and maintain relationships with school districts, PLS, and other external organizations
- Support STEP-UP and apprenticeship-related partnerships and program operations
- Coordinate MOUs and other partnership-related operational requirements
- Serve as an IWU/SILD liaison with external partners and troubleshoot partnership and program issues
- Serve as a key operational advisor and representative for the Dean and SILD
- Serve as a primary liaison between SILD and other IWU and N&G departments
- Represent SILD and/or the Dean in institutional meetings and cross-functional operational discussions as assigned
- Act within delegated authority and coordinate follow-through on decisions and action items
- Gather and analyze operational, program, and enrollment information to support decision-making
- Coordinate school-level projects and strategic initiatives assigned by the Dean
Qualifications: According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.
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Education
- Master's degree or higher in an education-related, higher education, leadership, administration, or related field preferred
Experience
- Minimum of three (3) years' experience in academic operations, higher education administration, supervision, project management, or a related area
- Experience working in higher education or an education-related environment preferred
- Experience supervising employees and coordinating complex projects across organizational units preferred
- Experience with academic programs, educator preparation, licensure/regulatory compliance, or student services preferred
Required Skills
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues who represent a diversity of work and conflict resolution styles
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to set priorities in a multi-task environment
- Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, people-centered environment requiring frequent and ongoing verbal and written communication with faculty, staff, students, university leadership, and other internal and external stakeholders
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to deal with diverse personalities and complex situations professionally
- Accuracy and attention to detail with the ability to maintain confidential information
- Demonstrated ability to compose correspondence, reports, and documents with minimal direction and at a high level of proficiency
- Working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet programs, project management software, learning management systems, and Internet-based systems
- Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment within delegated authority
- Strong problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and decision-making skills
- Ability to lead cross-functional operational work and manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
- Self-starter with the ability to anticipate operational needs and follow projects through to completion
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IWU Kingdom Diversity Statement
IWU, in covenant with God's reconciling work and in accordance with the Biblical principles of our historic Wesleyan tradition, commits to build a community that reflects Kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment for living, teaching and learning, which exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member's earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement that exhibits Christ's commandment to love all humankind.
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LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER
As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C., Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.
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